Your perfume choice says a lot about you, in the same way that your clothes and favourite colour do. Some may say it is a heightened form of self-expression, a part of you that becomes your essence. We’re going to take a look at how different personality types tend to be drawn to certain fragrance families, but first, it’s important to know the general fragrance language.
If you don’t speak perfume but want to learn more about the language of fragrance, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few definitions you will want to know as you look for perfume. Who knows? You might find yourself making your own scents or formulating your own perfumes one day. For now, you can try some new perfumes from the Costco catalogue. We suggest the Penhaligon’s Cairo perfume, but you might want to use the fragrance profiler to find something that suits your unique personality.
Table of Contents
So, on to the perfume-related terms:
Base note
The heavy ingredients in a fragrance. This is the soul and foundation of the perfume. After around 30 minutes, they begin to take effect and combine with the middle notes to produce the fragrance’s aroma. Base notes can last up to six hours since they absorb into your skin.
Middle/Heart note
These are the heart of the fragrance; they remain on your skin after the top notes have faded.
Top note
The first scent that will be noticed but is also the lightest note in the fragrance composition. They give that initial spark and then transition into heart notes.
Accord
When an accord is mentioned on a fragrance label, it simply refers to the collective scent of various fragrances that have been blended to provide a distinctive scent.
Amber
All Oriental scents are built on an accord called amber. It is a combination of scents like vanilla, labdanum, and balsams like benzoin and tolu, which are warm, sweet resins found in tree bark.
Balsams
Warm, amber and vanilla notes that exude softness.
Bergamot
This scent is derived from an inedible fruit in the citrus family. It is usually used to add freshness and extra sparkle to perfume.
Chypre
Always woody by definition, but the classic chypre note has jasmine, rose, tree moss, and a citrus top note.
Floral
This is one of the largest fragrance families, usually with top notes of jasmine and rose, but it can be anything with the aroma of flowers.
Gourmand
Fragrances that smell edible and have descriptive notes include marshmallow, caramel, vanilla, and chocolate.
Musk
A base note that is known for its sensual and intoxicating notes. Oriental-sophisticated and sexy scent with notes of exotic woods, spices, amber, and patchouli.
Powdery
This scent has a soft, almost fluffy texture. Notes of musk, amber, and violet.
Tonka bean
A scent rich in vanilla, with a hint of cinnamon and almond.
Woody
Think warm and aromatic. Notes of cedarwood and sandalwood.
Now, we’ll discuss how different fragrance families match certain personalities. Although it is a generalisation, you get a general idea of what to look for based on our suggestions.
For the sparkling and sociable types
Do you love the colours of spring, flowers, and light? You might be described as a perfectionist, someone who is sensitive, modest and straightforward. Your dream weekend sounds like a picnic with friends in a park or in the country. Everything about you, from your living spaces to your eating habits and favourite beverage, screams fresh, bright and organic.
If you are sunny and sociable, floral scents might attract you. Try to look for lily of the valley, jasmine and magnolia with woody notes, or citrusy and aromatic fragrances.
For the dreamy and hopeless romantics
Jasmine tea and pastel tones are your thing. You are a gentle soul who may be described as sensitive and dreamy. You might like exploring the city and finding interesting and romantic places, and a walk on the beach is the ultimate experience for you. If you are a man, you will be drawn to delicate powdery scents or soft woods like sandalwood.
For the passionate and fiery types
Your aesthetic is vibrant velvet and silk paired with exotic jewellery. You are romantic, sensual and mysterious. You might be described as theatrical, but all you really have is a good appetite for life and all its pleasures.
In perfumes, you may be drawn to vanilla, incense, honey, tropical flowers, and sweet tobacco notes.
For the sophisticated leader
If cashmere, chai, and earthy shades are in your aesthetic, the Chypre scents are for you. You love to be outdoors and in touch with nature, and you appreciate warm and woody atmospheres. You may be described as ambitious, outspoken, and sophisticated. Fashion, life, and scents are three things you do not play with. Think leather and spice, refined scents with dark woody notes.